Diff oil questions
 

Hey everyone, I have a 2011 3500 diesel. I have heard that the synthetic diff oil that dodge uses craps out around 25,000 km and that you have to replace it. I have also heard that people are blowing their front ends at around 25,000k because they did not change the oil.

Is there another oil product that I can use that will last longer with no issues?

Seems kind of silly to put an oil in that needs to be changed out every 25,000k when older trucks (like my old 95' 2500) can go 200,000 km with no issues.

I have not looked yet, but do they at least have a drain plug instead of having to take the whole diff plate off and get new seals now?

No drain plug but you could vacuum the oil out. My axles aren't due yet but my son changed his recently and he used my vacuum, don't forget to lube the front drive shaft. I did mine at last oil change and it had never been done from the factory, it took a bunch of grease. I run Amsoil 75W90 severe gear full synthetic in my other 4X4's and that's what my son used. I think if you are going to change out the oil at the scheduled interval you won't have any problems. Too many 4X4 owners never or hardly ever change their axle and xfr case oils, you get a little water in there and the damage is done if left too long.

I don't have a vacuum ,I'm sure they are cheap enough though. I'll probably go with Amsoil when It's first scheduled change is up. I still have 17,000k to go before I hit that point.

I'm pretty sure my owners manual said for the rear diff to be changed at 15,000 miles. The front was different based on use. I changed both axles at 15K. I used AMSOIL in mine as I have on all my current and past vehicles. Never had a single problem it. SVG 75W-90.

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service interval on the diffs is 15k miles. changing mine tomorrow. got valvoline full synthetic with additive (already in the oil)

I always drop the cover. clean the ring gear and diff and do an inspection to make sure everything is ok. its easy and the gasket is reusable

Hi Chris,
What additive?

Larry

Limited slip additive.

well looking in the USER GUIDE under maintenance, that book says to change at 24,000 miles or 18 months or 36,000 km.

Then I looked in the MAINTENANCE SERVICE SCHEDULE booklet, and in there it says change at 24,000 km.

So I think I'll just change it at 24,000 km, or 18 months, which ever comes up first.

Good to know that these new truck have a re-usable diff gasket. Not like my old truck where it was 12 bucks just for the gasket.

My son I have used Amsoil in all of our pick-up trucks and SUV's. We both are using the Mag-Hytec covers on the front and rear diff's along with extra amount of Amsoil in them. I pull a 5er with my truck and he uses his truck for sled pulling in the summer and drives the truck on weekends.
Here is the link for Amsoil page: http://www.amsoil.com/a/synthetic-gear-oil
What I like about the Mag-Hytec covers are the drain plugs and the magnetic dip stick for checking the diff oil. Geno's Garage is now selling one with a sight glass in the rear diff cover if anyone is interested in one.
Jim W.

As far as gear lube goes, read the product specs for the oil you get. Some lube requires the limited slip additive to be added, whereas other manufacturers gear lube are designed to be compatible with limited-slip and locking diffs and recommends adding the limited slip additive only if chatter occurs. If it doesn't specify, then it probably needs to be added. Another good bit of info is that the gear lube is an Extreme Pressure (EP) gear lubricant and not just a regular 75W-90.

Mag-Hytech are good covers. The increased capacity (read cooler oil), the magnetic dipstick, & drain plug was the reason I bought theirs. Mine doesn't have the site glass, but does have a small plug that can be removed to check the level as well. Having the site glass is another plus.

thanks guys

Your welcome!

I used Royal Purple at 25k, it already has the additive in it and I also take the cover off check for anything out of the ordinary clean out somewhat then filler back up. It's about a hour job in the driveway.

I replaced mine with Royal Purple when I installed a Mag HiTech differential cover. Royal Purple has been the only product that has held up for me over the years and I highly recommend it.

I honestly don't know if I can get Royal Purple around here, I've never actually seen anything by them.